Pipe expansion joint



`June 7, 1949.

T. W. F. BROWN PIPE EXPANSION JOINT Filed Feb. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 auf.

lllllnllllllnlllllflllll .IIIIIIIIIIIIII N w nm RUR www u m w` V L m m M w m il] :Ik: o llll Il O .O :l1 O O jH n O ll o ATTORNEYS l June 7, 1949. T. w. F. BROWN PIrE EXPANSION JOINT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1947 y/ 1W' /j y ii i l INVENTOR THOMAS .WALTER FALCONER BROWN 8%,- Guai ATTORNEYS June 7, 1949. T. w. F. BROWN PIPE EXPANSION JOINT 3 She'ets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 24, 1947 INVEN'I'ORl THOMAS WALTER FALCONER BROWN ATTORNEYS Patented vJune 7, 1949 ATENT FF@ 2,472,279 Pira EXPANSION JOINT Newcastle on Parsons and Marine Engineering Turbine Research and Development Association,

Wallsend, England Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,510 In Great Britain June 19, 1946 Claims.

This invention relates to pipe expansion joints and has for its object to provide improved or simplified forms thereof enabling relative motion to take place between, say, a pipe conveying fluid at high temperature and a part to which the pipe is attached, without leakage of iluid.

The invention consists in an expanding pipe joint comprising features set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a reduced convenient arrangement present invention,

Figure 2 is a reduced plan View thereof,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a reduced vertical sectional view of a modified form of joint clamping device,

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified arrangement for dealing with relative torsional and/or lateral movement,

Figure 7v is a vertical sectional View on the line 1 7 of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified ararngement wherein the pressure of the springs is amplified.

In carrying the invention into elTect according to one convenient form illustrated by way of example in Figures 1 to 3 as applied to a joint in which relative lateral movement between two flanges is liable to occur, one iiange being rigid with the end oi a pipe a conveying fluid at high temperature and the other being rigid with an engine body or casing b, flanges c d of rectangular form are provided abutting each other in a plane. The lianges are formed with abutting plane end faces slidably engaging each other to permit lateral or torsional sliding between them while maintaining sealing engagement.

The lower flange d carries a plurality of clamping devices which in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 take the form of a number of bracket members e, each of which is secured to an edge of the engine casing flange d, each bracket member comprising a wall or tension frame member eX- accompanying diagrammatic elevational view of one in accordance with the tre thrust against the back face of the pipe lange c by means of compression springs g to lidably engage the same for forcing its abutting face against the corresponding abutting face oi the lower flange d, while permitting sliding movethe two. Each compression spring encircles an individual plunger and is provided with a screwed sleeve h bearing against a spring cup z whereby the tension of the springs may be adjusted.

The face of the pipe flange c that abuts the face of the engine casing flange d is furnished with a groove :i into which graphite lubricant may be forced under pressure in order to lubrim carrying adjusting screws n bearing upon the upper end of the plungers f.

In applying the invention according to one example to a pipe joint in which the pipe end a is liable to relative torsional and lateral movement bracket sectors may be provided with abutment surfaces p to prevent lateral movement between the fianges whilst permitting torsional movement to take place.

In a further the flange c.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe joint comprising a pair of flanges having plane end faces abutting each other in slidable sealing relation, and a plurality of clamping devices carried by one of said anges and surrounding and overhanging the other said flange, each clamping device comprising a tencarried thereby and positioned the back of the second pressed members for applying pressure to said flange for forcing it against the first said ange, at least one of the said flanges having a, lubricating groove in its face which engages the other flange and a channel in one of said flanges for supplying lubricant to the groove and lubricating the abutting faces of the flanges.

2. A pipe joint according to claim 1, in Which the clamping devices comprise bracket members fastened to the first said flange, and the spring pressed members comprise puppet rods slidably carried in the brackets.

3. A pipe joint according to claim -1, in which the clamping devices comprise levers fulcrumed on the tension members, and extending outward- 1y beyond the second said flange, springs acting on the outwardly extending ends of the said levers for forcing them away from the first said flange and the levers also having inwardly extending ends overhanging the back face of the 4 second said ange for applying pressure thereto force the abutting faces of the anges together.

4. A pipe joint according to claim 1, comprising also abutments preventing bodily sliding of one flange on the other but permitting torsional sliding movement therebetween.

5. A pipe joint according to claim 3, in which the levers are arranged so that the distance between their fulcra and the springs is greater than the distance between their fulcra and inner ends, whereby the force exerted by the springs is amplifled.

THOMAS WALTER FALCONER BROWN.

REEERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the .file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

